“The Adrija Khond are a lovely people,” Vijay insisted.
“If one dismisses the rumors that they formerly engaged in human sacrifice,” Padma blithely countered.
Neil blanched with discomfort.“What’s that?”
Ellie lifted her chin stoutly.“I was under the impression that accounts of human sacrifice in India were greatly exaggerated by colonial agents as an excuse to dispossess less privileged castes and lay claim to their natural resources.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Vijay returned lightly.
Mr.Chowdhury shot him a dry look before elaborating.“The Adrija are one of the clans that populate the remote hill villages.They speak a different language from the Odia people here in the plains and have their own faith and cultural practices.They are sometimes…waryof outsiders.”
Adam had the distinct impression that Mr.Chowdhury was choosing his words with great tact.
Vijay crossed his legs, waving a regally dismissive hand.“But the royal family of Nandapur has a relationship with the clan going back generations.There’s a quaint tradition where whenever a new member of the family takes the throne, the Adrija engage in a ritual kidnapping and carry him off to the forest.They pretend to mull over whether to sacrifice him or a water buffalo for a little while, and then opt for the buffalo.”
Ellie perked up.“What a fascinating bit of ethnography!It clearly implies a ritual assertion that the Adrija are not obligated to accept the rule of the Nandapur kings but only choose to do so of their own free will.”
“I doubt the Adrija would do much of what I asked them to if they didn’t want to,” Vijay agreed.“They’re terribly independent-minded.But they have also historically made up a significant portion of the royal army—not that we have one of those anymore.”
Vijay punctuated the remark with a sly look at Mr.Chowdhury.
“Of course not,” Mr.Chowdhury replied tiredly.“Because maintaining your own army would be considered grounds for the Raj to declare war upon you.”
“If anyone can tell us where the rest of the landmarks from this text are located in the forest, it will be the Adrija Khond,” Vijay asserted.“I would love to bring you to the village and introduce you to the local leaders there myself, but one of Nawaz’s sources has informed us that Colonel Borthwick is headed to Nandapur.”
Adam was starting to get a headache.“I’m guessing that means he found somebody to read that manuscript.”
“And deduced the most likely place to start the journey,” Vijay confirmed.“But they’ll have a difficult time finding a guide.There aren’t many people outside of the hill tribes who are willing to go into that forest.”
“On account of the tigers,” Adam filled in.
“Don’t forget the demons.”Vijay’s eyes twinkled mischievously before he once more assumed a regal air.“I will do what I can to delay Borthwick here.”
“Carefully,” Mr.Chowdhury added pointedly.
“When am I not careful?”Vijay complained.
“Far more often than I would like,” Mr.Chowdhury drolly returned.
“The colonial authorities are always hunting for an excuse to annex the territory of the remaining princes,” Vijay elaborated dismissively.
The solicitor’s reply was weighed with a concern that had nothing to do with the law.“The rest of the princes are notyou.”
An answering feeling flashed in Vijay’s eyes before both men swept the look under their respective veils again—one of regal authority, and the other of intellectual control.
“Borthwick already suspects you’re up to more than you ought to be,” Padma warned.
Constance brightened with avid fascination.“Are you?”
Vijay flashed her a grin, and Mr.Chowdhury gave a long-suffering sigh.
Padma’s authoritative tones cut through the room.“You will have to send them alone.”
Vijay frowned, displeased by his aunt’s assertion.“We have ample resources here that we can put at their disposal.”
“None of which can be seen to be associated with any effort to thwart Borthwick.”Padma shifted a merciless glare to Mr.Chowdhury.“Or am I wrong, Nawaz?”
Mr.Chowdhury’s jaw was tight.“No.”
